Jaguars' Travis Hunter Expected to Play More Cornerback in 2026

The versatile player will shift focus to defense after lining up more at wide receiver as a rookie.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Jacksonville Jaguars are planning to use Travis Hunter, their 2025 first-round draft pick, primarily as a cornerback in the 2026 season, according to NFL Network insider Cameron Wolfe. Hunter played more snaps at wide receiver than cornerback as a rookie, but the Jaguars have added more receiving talent and have two starting cornerbacks set to hit free agency, opening the door for Hunter to focus more on defense.

Why it matters

Hunter was a highly touted two-way player coming out of college, and the Jaguars have been experimenting with how best to utilize his versatile skill set. This shift to playing him more at cornerback could unlock his full potential on the defensive side of the ball, while still allowing him to contribute on offense in a more limited role.

The details

According to Wolfe's report, the Jaguars plan to have Hunter play "full-time cornerback, a part-time receiver" in 2026, a change from his rookie season when he played more than double the snaps at receiver than at cornerback. The team has added more receiving talent, including Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington, and has two starting cornerbacks, Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome, set to hit free agency, allowing Hunter to focus more on defense.

  • In January, Jaguars executive James Gladstone indicated the team's plans for Hunter in 2026.
  • Wolfe reported on the Jaguars' plans for Hunter during his "Wolfe of Ball Street" segment on NFL Network in February 2026.

The players

Travis Hunter

The Jaguars' 2025 first-round draft pick, a versatile player who can contribute on both offense and defense.

Cameron Wolfe

NFL Network insider who reported on the Jaguars' plans for Hunter in 2026.

James Gladstone

A Jaguars executive who indicated the team's plans for Hunter in January 2026.

Montaric Brown

A Jaguars cornerback set to hit free agency.

Greg Newsome

A Jaguars cornerback set to hit free agency.

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What they’re saying

“Jacksonville, where they're coming off a magical season, and they think 2026 can be even better because they get their unicorn back. Travis Hunter is expected to be 100%, full go by Week 1. He had surgery on the LCL in his knee. He will play both sides again in 2026.”

— Cameron Wolfe, NFL Network insider (NFL Network)

“The big change may come in the usage. From what I understand, they plan to play him as a full-time cornerback, a part-time receiver, which is a switch from last year, when he played more than double of his snaps at receiver than cornerback.”

— Cameron Wolfe, NFL Network insider (NFL Network)

“Yeah, I think very fair to say his rehab process is going as expected. He's hitting it hard and obviously the joy that he brings to just the everyday operation is still something that permeates throughout the space that he enters and beyond that and the role that he'll play, we still expect him to play on both sides of the ball.”

— James Gladstone, Jaguars executive (Jacksonville Jaguars on SI)

What’s next

The Jaguars will need to determine which of their free agent cornerbacks, Montaric Brown or Greg Newsome, they will re-sign in order to solidify their secondary and allow Hunter to focus more on the cornerback position in 2026.

The takeaway

The Jaguars are committed to maximizing Travis Hunter's versatile skill set, and by shifting him to focus more on cornerback in 2026, they can unlock his full potential on the defensive side of the ball while still utilizing his offensive abilities in a complementary role. This strategic move could pay dividends as the Jaguars look to build on their successful 2025 campaign.